Bid now! Auction benefitting MusiCares and the GRAMMY Museum also features exclusive items from Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, and many more

Renée Fabian

MusiCares

Jan 23, 2018 - 12:01 pm

Want to win exclusive items from your favorite artists? How about a chance to attend the 61st GRAMMY Awards in 2019? Or maybe the chance to meet platinum-selling performers or take a guitar lesson with a legendary metal frontman? Thanks to GRAMMY Charity Online Auctions, you could make all of these a reality.

Watch Spike Lee's Star-Studded 'NY Stories' Film

The GRAMMY Charity Online Auctions have announced they will be offering more than 100 exclusive items in this year's auction, which kicked off Jan. 22. Items up for bid include platinum-level tickets to the 61st GRAMMY Awards telecast in Los Angeles in 2019; tickets and meet-and-greet passes with Sam Smith and Niall Horan; and a private guitar lesson with legendary Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine.

Musician David Francisco Gives Back To MusiCares After Spinal Cord Injury

The folk singer/songwriter gives back to the health and human services charity that supported his recovery and prompts a surprise donation by Ellen DeGeneres

Renée Fabian

MusiCares

Jun 8, 2018 - 1:34 pm

It's been a long journey for David Francisco. After being hit by a distracted driver while riding his bicycle home from Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tenn., in 2016, the folk singer/songwriter suffered a spinal cord injury and was told he would never walk again. With intensive care and a persistent spirit, however, Francisco defied the odds, regained his ability to walk and was featured on the most recent season of the TV series "American Idol." Now Francisco is giving back to the organization that helped support his recovery.

Francisco appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on June 4 to share his inspiring story of recovery and the advocacy work he is doing to support others with spinal cord injuries. But Francisco was in for a big surprise when DeGeneres surprised him with a $10,000 check as a donation to MusiCares, the Recording Academy-affiliated health and human services charity that helps musician in need, including Francisco.

Part of Francisco's ongoing work includes raising awareness and funding through the upcoming David Francisco Ride for Hope, which will see Francisco and his wife Kritsi embark on a 500-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Santa Monica, Calif. They will be accompanied by recording engineers Kevin Becka, Dave Rideau and Erik Zobler and broadcast mixer Jeri Palumbo. Nightly stops along the route will include concerts, guest riders, auctions, and giveaways. And money raised from the event will go in part toward the lifesaving work of MusiCares.

"MusiCares is so fortunate to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this incredible event," MusiCares Senior Executive Director Debbie Carroll said in a statement, "We are truly grateful that they are choosing to give back, and we also appreciate that other music people can learn about MusiCares' programs and services through the great visibility of the Ride for Hope."

Cam Joins North American Leg Of Sam Smith's 2018 Tour

The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter is set to open for the soulful troubadour during the North American leg of his tour

Renée Fabian

GRAMMYs

Jun 7, 2018 - 3:16 pm

It might seem like the pairing of country singer/songwriter Cam and the more pop-forward Sam Smith is counterintuitive, but don't be fooled. GRAMMY winner Smith enlisted Cam's songwriting sensibilities for the track "Palace" off his 2017 album The Thrill Of It All. Accordingly, Smith has drafted Cam to join him on tour in support of the album.

The Sam and Cam show will hit arenas near you as the tour makes its way around North America starting June 18 in Toronto. Cam will stay onboard for all 22 dates, including stops in Detriot, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New Orleans, and Dallas before wrapping up July 27 in Mexico City.

Smith piloted a test run with Cam earlier this year during his four-night set at the O2 in London. The album version of "Palace," which Smith and Cam co-wrote with Tyler Johnson, also features Cam on backing vocals and guitar.

THATS RIGHT IM GOING ON TOUR WITH @samsmithworld Little ol’ me is opening up for this icon at Madison Square Garden, Montreal, Mexico, Nashville.... (full list below)... NO JOKE THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST SUMMER OF OUR LIVES!! I’ll see you on the road, lovelies pic.twitter.com/lPXY9ePG82

"I could not be more excited to go on the road with Sam," Cam said in a statement. "He is one of the greatest singers of our generation. To be associated with his show — that voice, those songs, that heart — it's a tremendous compliment, and I can't wait to share my music with his audience every night."

Watch: Sam Smith, Logic Debut New "Pray" Music Video

What better backdrop for a spiritual track such as "Pray" than an Italian villa?

Sam Smith and Logic filmed the remixed version of "Pray," from Smith's 2017 album The Thrill Of It All, at the picturesque Villa Erba near Lake Como, Italy. Among a backdrop of lush-looking rooms, the GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter and GRAMMY-nominated rapper take turns delivering their verses on the piano-based confessional.

Directed by Joe Connor, the video also features a white horse and his handler, butterflies, interpretive dancers, a jeweled masked character, and silhouettes behind white curtains. The result is an ethereal video that seems to transcend the physical world, a perfect pairing for a song with lyrics such as, "Everyone prays in the end."

Rolling Stone reports that Smith got the idea for the song after visiting Mosul, Iraq.

"We are all looking around at what's happening in the world, and it is just messed up," he said. "You've got no choice but to look up to the sky and put your hands together and pray for something to happen."

For those who want to experience "Pray" live, Smith's 37-date North American tour launches June 18 in Toronto and will conclude Sept. 13 in Calgary. Tickets are available via his website.

On May 10, MusiCares will honor Pearl Jam's Mike McCready with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at their annual Concert For Recovery in honor of his significant dedication and support to the music community, in addition to his commitment to helping others in the addiction recovery process.

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

Taking place at The Showbox in Seattle, the Concert For Recovery will feature a roster of esteemed musicians, including three newly announced performers: Americana singer/songwriter/guitarist Star Anna, Mudhoney lead singer Mark Arm and Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander.

All funds raised during the event will benefit MusiCares and their lifesaving health and human services programs, including a wide range of addiction recovery programs that benefit the music community.

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.